What is Krishna consciousness? – Talk to multi-faith group in Australia
[Talk at the Radha Krishna Cultural Center, Gold Coast, Australia]
Video:
Transcript
This is an AI-generated transcript and may contain some errors.
I spoke about an introduction to Krishna Consciousness in three parts. The history, the philosophy and the practices. In the history, I talked about how I was introduced to it because I felt this is a powerful means for self-transformation and inside-out or bottom-up social transformation.
And this tradition is based on the Bhagavad Gita, which is an ancient book spoken 5000 years ago. By God, Krishna descended in this world. And this ancient tradition, which goes on for thousands of years, was spread across the world about 50 years ago by Swami Manipad, who all alone, in old age, went to America with practically no money.
And within just a decade, established over 100 temples, wrote over 70 books and inspired millions to become more God-conscious. And then, the philosophies, I described in terms of acronym, idea. Identity, that we are eternal souls beyond our bodies, which are like our vehicles for our multilayered journey in spiritual evolution.
I need a thought experiment to tell you about how the soul is different from the body. And the soul can evolve or devolve based on the kind of karma, the kind of actions it does in this life. All living beings are souls, which are at different degrees, different levels in spiritual evolution.
In D, I talked about divinity. How God is one, and God is both an all-pervading cosmic presence and an all-attractive supreme person. And God, he is the source of everything attractive in this world.
As he is known as the all-attractive one, Krishna. And God, in his kingdom, does not delight in his Godhood. He delights in the reciprocation of love.
And thus, his devotees take on various roles so that they can reciprocate love with him. So, in the kingdom of God, God doesn’t reign supreme, love reigns supreme. In E, I talked about energy.
That everything in this world is related to God as his energy. This is the educational department. The educational department is one energy of the head of the state.
Similarly, the world is like a classroom, which offers multiple choice exams. The world offers us alternatives to God as long as we seek something other than God. And if we seek God, the world offers us a pathway to God.
And we learn, God helps us learn, become educated and evolve by giving scripture externally. And by sending saintly teaching externally. And by also accompanying us in our heart, in his manifestation, in his internal manifestation.
Who speaks to us as the voice of conscience. So, God is not just a destination to be achieved. He is also a companion to be recognized.
And then, E, A, I talked about activity. That the process of Bhakti Yoga involves spiritualizing all our activities. What we do is not as important as what consciousness we do.
With what intention we do it. And for spiritualizing our consciousness, we talk about four practices. Association, books, chanting and little worship.
I concluded with a few prayers of selfless love and selfless service. That is the aspiration of the Bhakti seekers. Thank you very much.
I have a question. You spoke of God and you spoke about peace. Do you see it in God as being higher or lower? Okay, yeah.
I got the question.